Tsar facts for kids

Tsar is a special title for a supreme ruler, like an emperor or king. It was used in several countries, mainly Bulgaria, Serbia, and Russia. The word "Tsar" comes from the Roman title "Caesar". You might also see it spelled Tzar, Czar, or Csar.

In Bulgaria, Tsars ruled from 913 to 1422, and again from 1908 to 1946. In Serbia, Tsars were in charge from 1346 to 1371. Russia had Tsars from 1546 until 1721. After 1721, Russian rulers were called imperator, but many people still used the word "Tsar" until the Russian Revolution in 1917. The way Russia was governed under the Tsars was called Tsarist autocracy, or Tsarism. This meant the Tsar had almost all the power.

Tsars in Bulgaria

The title "Tsar" was first used in Bulgaria. The first Bulgarian ruler to be called Tsar was Simeon I of Bulgaria. He was a very powerful leader. Bulgarian Tsars ruled for many centuries.

The last Tsar to rule Bulgaria was Tsar Boris III. He ruled in the 20th century.

Tsars in Serbia

Serbia also had Tsars for a period. The most famous Serbian Tsar was Stefan Dušan. He was crowned Tsar in 1346. Under his rule, the Serbian Empire grew very strong.

The last Tsar to rule Serbia was Tsar Stephen Uroš V.

Tsars in Russia

The title "Tsar" is most famous for its use in Russia. The first Russian ruler to officially take the title of Tsar was Ivan the Terrible in 1547. Before that, Russian rulers were called Grand Princes.

Russian Tsars ruled a huge empire for centuries. They had a lot of power. This system was known as Tsarist autocracy. It meant the Tsar's word was law.

Even after the title changed to imperator in 1721, people still called the Russian rulers Tsars. This continued until Nicholas II, who was the last Tsar of Russia. He ruled until the Russian Revolution in 1917.

Images for kids

• 

  Simeon I of Bulgaria, the first Bulgarian tsar and the first person who bore the title "tsar"

• 

  Crowning of Stefan Dušan, Emperor of the Serbs, as tsar, by Paja Jovanović

• 

  Mostich's epitaph uses the title tsar (outlined): "Here lies Mostich who was ichirgu-boil during the reigns of Tsar Simeon and Tsar Peter. At the age of eighty he forsook the rank of ichirgu boila and all of his possessions and became a monk. And so ended his life." (Museum of Preslav)

• 

  Tsar Dušan of Serbia

• 

  Władysław IV of Poland was the tsar of Russia during the Time of Troubles, when the Polish forces occupied Moscow.

See also

In Spanish: Zar para niños